Director of Development

Position Title:

Director of Development

Reports to:

Co-Executive Director
Salary Range: $120,000–$145,000 annually, based on qualifications and directly related experience

Location:

Hybrid or remote, preferably within Justice North's service area, with travel throughout northern Minnesota as needed
Position Type:
Full-time, exempt

Justice North is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization providing free legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout northern Minnesota. With more than 70 employees, eight offices, and an annual budget of approximately $10 million, Justice North serves 33 counties across more than 52,000 square miles. Our work includes housing, family law, public benefits, consumer rights, elder law, immigration, and other civil legal matters that affect the stability and well-being of the communities we serve.

Following the January 2026 merger of two longstanding legal aid organizations, Justice North is investing in the leadership, systems, and relationships needed to strengthen financial sustainability and expand access to justice.

Justice North seeks a strategic, experienced, and collaborative Director of Development to lead the organization's grants management, fundraising, and revenue development efforts. This newly created position is part of the senior leadership team and will play a critical role in organizational strategy, financial sustainability, and future growth.

The Director of Development will oversee a portfolio of approximately 30–40 active grants from federal, state, local government, private foundation, and other funding sources. This position will also lead efforts to diversify revenue, expand individual giving, strengthen donor and funder relationships, and establish effective development systems and processes.

Reporting to a Co-Executive Director, the Director will supervise the Data and Compliance Manager and Fundraising and Communications Lead. The position will collaborate closely with Finance, legal services leadership, and staff across the organization to align funding strategies with organizational priorities and ensure grant accountability.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and effective leader who is also willing to be hands‑on, particularly in developing compelling grant proposals, analyzing financial and program data, and building strong relationships.

• Serve on Justice North's Director Team, contributing to organizational strategy, budgeting, planning, and decision-making.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy focused on sustaining existing funding, diversifying revenue, and supporting long‑term financial stability.
• Partner with executive leadership, Finance, and legal services teams to identify funding priorities, assess organizational capacity, and pursue strategic opportunities.
• Develop multiyear revenue projections and funding strategies, identifying renewal opportunities, potential funding gaps, and financial risks.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including collaborative grants and partnerships with other organizations and government entities.

• Oversee the full grant lifecycle for approximately 30–40 active grants, including prospecting, proposal development, writing, budgeting, reporting, renewals, and funder relationships.
• Personally lead the development and writing of significant grant proposals, reports, and other funding requests.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance on grant budgets, financial reporting, revenue forecasting, and funding restrictions.
• Develop and maintain effective grant management systems to track deadlines, deliverables,…